With a date at the University at Buffalo’s medical school groundbreaking already on his agenda, Gov. Andrew Cuomo also took time to use Buffalo as the backdrop for his first, statewide Regional Economic Development Council progress tour.

The tour, which included stops at Canalside, the Cobblestone District, Kelly Island and the Silo City Rocks project, left Cuomo impressed. In all 13 downtown and waterfront destinations were visited.

“It’s a different Buffalo,” Cuomo said. “Really, night and day difference. We saw fits and starts over the years, but this is an explosion.”

The governor has made repeated visits to the Buffalo area this year, often to promote economic development works.

Many of the projects are being privately funded while others received some form of public-sector aid, including support from Empire State Development Corp. or one of its affiliated agencies. The money, which includes more than $153 million allocated through the regional economic development council initiative, has fueled a number of private sector-driven projects and that is exactly what Cuomo is seeking through the program.

Cuomo’s tour not only coincided with the medical school groundbreaking, but also as he and his top-level staff are weighing allocations for the latest round of regional development council support. Those allocations are due later this fall.

By seeing sites first hand, Cuomo said it gives him better perspective for the next round of regional development council support.

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